Indice dei contenuti per 29-Oct-2020 in Chat

Chrystal was glad to be rid of her terrible ex, but he wasn’t finished with her just yet (p30). When Kerry gave her first love a pressie back in 1995, she’d no idea what a huge part it’d play in her future (p18). Plus we’ve fallen in love with unlikely best pals, Morgan and Jaxon the Great Dane (p34). We’ve got fun and tasty Halloween makes (p40), trendy ideas to spruce up your sofa (p29), plus all the Chat faves you love. Stay safe and well this week.…

STYLE TIP Wear this outfit with the jumper tucked in to define the waist. Tonal accessories finish off the look in style. STYLE TIP Wear high-waisted, wide-leg jeans to highlight your waist and elongate the leg. Heeled boots add extra height. STYLE TIP Jumpsuits are comfortable and easy to wear. Take the outfit from day to night by swapping the trainers for heels. STYLE TIP Wear chunky ankle boots with floral midi dresses for the perfect autumnal look.…

World health 5% of Brits have never had their blood pressure checked, and one in five UK adults can’t remember when it was last taken, says Benenden Health. Untreated, high blood pressure raises the risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes. Swap and see Switch your bedtime hot choccy for this dreamy drink. Sleep Well Milk Drink is made with Jersey whole milk, honey, vanilla and the sleepy herb valerian, to help you drift off. £4.95 for 3x 200ml packs (sleepwellmilk.com). Are you vitamin-C smart? Vitamin C won’t directly prevent you from catching a cold or more serious viruses, but there’s lots of evidence to show that it boosts overall immune function, which works to help fight off nasty germs. Most of us will get enough vitamin…

OVER TO YOU Can you set a puzzle in this format? Send it, with a photo of yourself, to the address on p3 – there’s £20 for every one we use! ACROSS 1 Rescue2 Spoken3 Chance4 Consumes DOWN 1 Painful2 Opera song3 Immense4 Large deers WIN 5x £25 Puzzle 6 Your answer: HALF & HALF The Pont Gustave-Flaubert and the Pont Alexandre III are bridges that cross which river? Cross out a letter in each square to get a grid filled with words. The uncrossed-out letters in the shaded squares give the prize puzzle answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 7 Your answer: BRICK TRICK What nickname is used of any stamp from the high-value series issued under George V? To find out, solve the puzzle… Enter the answers to the clues…

Chrystal Dixon, 35, North Shields Rummaging in my bag for my phone, I hurried down the street. My head down, I jumped as I bumped straight into someone. ‘Oh, sorry!’ I said. But when I looked up, my heart lurched. Darren. My ex-boyfriend. ‘Hello, Chrystal,’ he said, a familiar smile spreading across his face. ‘Hi, I didn’t realise you were…’ I stammered. Darren, then 32, snapped back. ‘What, out of prison?’ It was November 2013 and I hadn’t seen Darren for a few months. We’d been together for four years when he was banged up for fighting. I decided it was best to call it a day. Besides, he’d never treated me right. Controlling, flying off the handle at the slightest thing and sneering if I ever wore a skirt…

He pays me no attention Q I’ve been with my partner for 16 months. But I’m lucky if I see him once a week. He cancels on our plans - they feel like excuses. He hardly speaks to me, saying he’s busy. When I try to make conversation, he assumes that I’m kicking off. Yes, I’m getting angry - but he’s using that so he can ignore me for hours, until I chase him. I’m ready to walk away. My head is saying go and my heart’s saying stay. Can I get some advice? Sue, 32 A What on earth is your heart saying ‘stay’ for?! This bloke isn’t your partner if he doesn’t give you any support or time. It sounds like he picks you up and puts you…

Samantha Willis, 32, Norwich Pulling the slimming-club diary out of my bag, I gave it a cursory glance before chucking it to one side. What’s the point? It was October 2017 and, once again, I’d gone and stood on those scales...only to be told I’d put weight on rather than losing it. For as long as I could remember, I’ve always been on some kind of weight-loss plan. I’d been going to a slimming club on and off now for nearly 10 years. So why did I still weigh over 27st? Week in, week out, I’d see ladies proudly clutching certificates and clapping those who’d reached target. But it was never me. I’d lose a bit, gain a bit more, quit the class, then sign up again when I worried…

Clutching her little girl’s teddy bear, sobbing, Karen Matthews, then 33, begged on TV for her 9- year-old daughter Shannon to be returned. Everyone felt her anguish: a missing child has to be every parent’s worst nightmare. And yet, as we discovered, that natural impulse to love and protect your child sometimes fails to kick in - when it transpired Karen was jointly behind the abduction. The infamous kidnapping has been immortalised in a TV drama, books and documentaries, and, 12 years later, Matthews’ every move creates more headlines, including her engagement to a man convicted of engaging in sexual activity with a child. The world’s obsession is borne from our inability to comprehend how a mother could commit such crimes against her own child, and while comparable cases are…

CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion, £13, boots.com Looking for a day cream with added SPF? This moisturiser has SPF25 so you get daily sun protection while your skin is kept hydrated. A total winner. NYX Pro Brush Multi-Purpose Buffing Brush, £14, boots.com Blend your base seamlessly with this synthetic bristle brush, it’s fantastic for cream products like foundation and cream blush but can also be used for powder. A great all-rounder and make-up bag staple. Dr Lipp’s Original Nipple Balm, £12, lookfantastic.com Not just for nipples, this 100% medical grade lanolin works wonders on dry chapped lips but can also be used on dry cuticles, elbows and knees leaving them soft and moisturised. E.l.f. Sheer Slick Lipstick in Grapefruit, £5, elfcosmetics.co.uk For comfortable lip colour you can’t go wrong with…

What connects American actor Jim Belushi and British singer Rita Ora? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the three-word prize answer. ACROSS 1 & 3 Down Author of Matilda and The Witches (5,4)4 Optimism (4)6 Glittered (8)13 Oscar-winning actor, _ McConaughey (7)14 Playwright, _ Shakespeare (7)15 Daniel _, James Bond actor (5)16 Cause damage to (4)17 Brought up a child (6)18 Windsor _, royal residence (6)20 Wooden shoe (4)21 State of togetherness (5)22 Dark blue dye (6)25 Fictional pirate, _ Silver (4,4)28 Sharpshooter (6)30 Musical, The Phantom of the _ (5)32 Scottish city (8)34 Lines of people (6)35 Fake (4)38 Season known as fall in the US (6)39 Does as one is told (5)40 Come back (6)43 Comedian and actor, _ Fielding…

As he awaited trial, doctors diagnosed Henry Hammond with schizophrenia, a mental-health condition that can cause people to see, hear or believe things that aren’t real. ‘He felt that she [Courtney] intended harm to him. He felt that she was interfering with his mind,’ a doctor said. In July this year, Hammond was transferred to a mental-health facility. The following month, he was found not guilty of Courtney’s murder by way of mental impairment. Detailed psychiatric reports revealed that he was in the grips of schizophrenic relapse at the time of the killing. Forensic psychiatrist Rajan Darjee told the court that the delusions would have felt real to Hammond during the episode, adding that it was extremely unlikely that he was faking his condition. ‘If he was not suffering from…

Why are my gums bleeding? Q My gums bleed when I brush my teeth, but I’m scared of the dentist… Mona, Kilmarnock A When your gums bleed, it usually means they’re infected - gingivitis. Occasionally it might be due to leukaemia, vitamin deficiency, badly rubbing dentures or drugs such as the epilepsy pill phenytoin, but the number-one cause is not cleaning your teeth properly. This lets infected plaque build up, which infects your gums. Smoking, diabetes and pregnancy hormones can also make you more prone. If it isn’t treated, gingivitis can progress to permanent gum damage, periodontitis, which risks tooth loss. Besides regular, careful brushing and flossing, treatment means not smoking, and using an antiseptic mouthwash. If you’re scared of your dentist, visit a hygienist, who can clean away plaque…

FAMILY MURDER Banaz Mahmod, 20, was brutally murdered by family members on 24 January 2006 because the British-Iraqi Kurdish woman wanted to divorce her arranged-marriage husband. Banaz’ uncle and father ordered her to be raped and killed, before her body was stuffed in a suitcase and buried in Birmingham. Five people were convicted of the London woman’s murder – including her father Mahmod Mahmod and uncle Ari Mahmod. The five were sentenced to a total of 100 years in prison. STABBED ON DOORSTEP Special Constable Nisha Patel-Nasri was killed on 11 May 2006 at her home in north London, in a hit arranged by her husband Fadi Nasri, who wanted to continue an affair and cash in a £350,000 life-insurance policy. He brought in drug dealer Rodger Leslie to arrange…

First described in a paper published in July 2020, Microcebus jonahi is a newly discovered species of what creature? Solve the crossword, then read down the yellow squares. The yellow shaded squares will spell out the prize answer. ACROSS 1 Daring, fearless (4)5 Mother of TV’s Simpson family (5)7 Take That singer, _ Barlow (4) DOWN 2 Owned by us (3)3 Jack _, grumpy comedian (3)4 Annoyingly selfsatisfied (4)6 Gunpowder plotter, _ Fawkes (3) WIN £50 Puzzle 13 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Teri Davies, 29, Wrexham Carefully lifting the baby seat from the car, I cooed at my cute newborn son Morgan. And then... ‘Come and meet your baby brother!’ I called. Out of the house thundered my 11st Great Dane dog Jaxon and schnauzer Teddy. Then they screeched to a halt and followed at my heels as I carried baby Morgan inside. They’d been patiently waiting to meet the latest member of their gang. It was July 2017 and, after five days in hospital, we were finally able to bring Morgan home. ‘The pooches missed you so much,’ my fiance Mike, then 26, smiled. ‘What do you think?’ I said, carefully showing the baby to my boys. They gently sniffed and sniffed, unsure what this little creature was. Soon, Teddy lost…

Nearly five million consumers have suffered from broadband outages of three hours or more in the past year with the average affected home experiencing more than a day – 29 hours – offline in total, according to research by comparison site Uswitch.com. Some 28% of people affected were using the internet for work when the outages hit, the study found. Money mistakes New parents waste an average of £75 on items they thought were baby essentials but later regretted buying, according to a BMO and F&C Investment Trust study. TOP TIP Download supermarket cashback apps like Shopmium or CheckoutSmart for offers and freebies.…

The Assassination of John Lennon SKY DOCUMENTARIES This December marks 40 years since John Lennon was shot outside his New York home by Mark David Chapman. This documentary explores the events that led to that day in 1980 as well as getting to the roots of Chapman’s dangerous obsession, and celebrates the former Beatle’s life and career. Industry BBC2 Game of Thrones’ Will Tudor is among the cast of this new eight-part series, which follows five ambitious graduates as they enter the cut-throat world of international finance at a London investment bank. But in the wake of the 2008 crash, the competition for a permanent job is tougher than ever. The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse DISNEY+ Watch the world’s most famous mouse in 10 new animated shorts on Disney’s…

Avéne Eau Thermale Radiance Serum, £24, boots.com This hypoallergenic formula is fantastic for people with sensitive skin, it will give a boost of lightweight hydration, it’s full of skin-protecting antioxidants and seriously delivers on glow. Botanies All Bright Radiance Concentrate Serum, £8.99, boots.com As this serum contains exfoliating AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) it will slough off dull, dead skin cells to reveal the brighter skin hiding underneath. Use it every day under your moisturiser to see results. The Ordinary Buffet Serum, £12.70, cultbeauty.co.uk This all-in-one serum is packed with deeply hydrating hyaluronic acid and collagen-boosting ingredient Matrixyl 3000 so you’re left with plumped lines and refreshed looking skin.…

TEXT Simply text CHATC followed by a space and your answer/s (spaces between answers please) full name, door number and postcode to 84988 Texts cost 50p plus standard network charge (maximum 160 characters per text). When you enter by text, you may in future get SMS marketing messages from Future plc and Chat. If you want to receive these, please end your text with OPTIN. Texting tips INTERNET Join our Chat Comp Club now and enter your puzzle answers directly online at our website address comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles Existing puzzlesandprizes members may need to re-register, just click on the ‘Join now’ button once you are on the website. PHONE Simply call 0906 470 7002 For every call to our competition Lucky Line, we’ll donate 10p to The Brain…

Ashleigh Preston, 20, London Watching my brother Craig packing his bags, I had tears in my eyes. ‘I’ll only be a few streets away, sis,’ he said, ruffling my hair. ‘Come round whenever you want.’ Ever since I could remember, Craig had been my best mate. Fifteen years older than me, we shared the same dad. A proper joker, he always had me in stitches. And although we’d fight like cat and dog, Craig was the first person I’d turn to with a problem. He was my hero, someone I knew would always be on my side. Only now, in 2006, I was 6 and Craig was in his early 20s and moving out into his own place. I missed having him around - but, true to his word, I…

Kayden Coleman, 34 Rushing to the loo for the umpteenth time, I started wondering if something might be wrong. It was September 2013, and I’d needed to wee more than usual recently, had gained a few pounds, too. What’s up with my body? I fretted. Laying on my tummy one evening, I felt something under me. At first, I thought it was the pillow. Then I realised it was coming from inside my belly! But it couldn’t be… Could it? ‘I’m going to take a pregnancy test,’ I told my partner Elijah, then 26. An hour later, I held a positive pregnancy test in my hand. ‘We’re in trouble,’ Elijah laughed. And at the doctor’s, more surprises. ‘You’re five months gone,’ he said to me. Stunned into silence, I tried…

It was only a matter of time before Henry Hammond, 27, and Courtney Herron, 25, started mixing in the same circles. Both were sleeping rough or on friends’ sofas in Melbourne, Australia, and both had drug addictions. They were outgoing, party people whose lives had spiralled out of control. Without homes of their own, they had become estranged from their families. Courtney had been troubled for a long time. She was born into a loving Greek family, only her parents split when she was 3, which greatly affected her. Her mum Maxie described her as a ‘damaged little bird’. Moved from school to school, she was bullied, which made her life tougher. She had a close relationship with her grandma Connie, but gradually drifted apart from her mum and dad…

Faye Young, 27, Bristol Buttoning up my blazer, a smile on my face, I set off for another day at work. It was July 2017 and I’d not long started my new job in the civil service. But while I was keen to make a good impression, there was something holding me back. Pain. A searing agony in my right hip. And though I was taking painkillers, they weren’t helping. By the time I got home, I was just about ready to collapse. For months, this cycle continued. By October 2017, the pain had moved into my chest, too. Sometimes I struggled to breathe. ‘We need to get you to the doctor,’ my mum Katrina, 53, said. But even when we saw the GP, I was only given yet more…

ARROW WORD Dutch computer scientist Guido van Rossum created which programming language in 1991? Solve the puzzle by following the arrows and writing in your answers. Then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the prize answer. WIN £1,000 Puzzle 10 Your answer: SUDOKU To solve the puzzle, each 3 x 3 box, each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9. Solve the puzzle and the numbers in the highlighted squares will give you the prize puzzle answer. WIN £60 Puzzle 11 Your answer: WORDSEARCH Who holds the record as the longest-lived US president? The answer is the one missing from the grid. ADAMSBUSHFORDGRANTHOOVERKENNEDYLINCOLNNIXONOBAMAREAGANTRUMANTRUMPWILSON WIN £50 Puzzle 12 Your answer: TO ENTERTurn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

FILL ME IN Rovaniemi is the capital of which geographical European region? Solve the puzzle by following the arrows and writing in your answers. Then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 14 Your answer: CIRCLE TIME The coat of arms of the Namibian capital, Windhoek, features a plant of what genus? Fit the words into the grid, then read down the letters in the shaded circles. 3 letters FARLEILETLIENUNRUMTANWARWAS 4 letters GRINLEAFLOSEMENUSIGNSTAR 5 letters NOMADRIPENSATINSHEEP 6 letters EXTENDHELIUMHOLLOWNATION 7 letters MEMBERSWRESTLE WIN £100 Puzzle 15 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

3 Ways to… protect your home from storm damage There are simple steps you can take to limit the damage caused by strong winds and heavy rain, says Andrew Morrish, UK claims director for Aviva. 1 Maintenance is key Ensure your property is well looked after. Regular checks can help your home stand up to bad weather when it comes. Checking your roof is important so go outside and look up; are any tiles missing or any other signs of damage? Also, make sure your TV aerial and satellite dish are securely attached. And ensure fence panels are fixed in place too. 2 Get prepared If a storm’s on its way, safely store or secure any garden furniture, ornaments, bikes or anything else that strong winds could send flying around. Make sure…

Aries 21 March-20 April You find yourself drawn to smaller goals closer to home, a spot of DIY or perhaps creating artwork for the living room. A friend will ask for your advice. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Maybe there’s a better way to make a point at work this week. Rise above the urge to create a battle, look towards your long-term goals and ambitions. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June By being bolder and more independent will get you noticed. There’s a person you’ve held a candle for and now it’s your chance to ignite the flames of passion. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Put your toe back in the water,…

Q How do I apply false eyelashes? Susie Honour, 59, Cornwall A Firstly, choose a style of lashes that you like. Looking for glamorous and dramatic? You’ll love Ardell Double Wispies, £7.99, boots.com, or if you’re looking for a more natural look, Eylure Naturals No. 003 ¾ Length Lashes, £4.95, lookfantastic.com, will add subtle definition. Gently take one lash out at a time, holding it by the hairs while you apply a stripe of lash glue to the band. A lash applicator like the Eylure Lash Applicator, £7.50, boots.com, will make this easier but a pair of tweezers will work just as well. Let the glue become tacky before you apply - it will take around 15-20 seconds. Next, you’ll want to look down into the mirror, with your eye…

Chat winners issue 31 (30 July 2020) £1,001 CASH A Atkinson, Bournemouth £1,000 CASH C Orpin, Gloucester £500 CASH S Kipped, Hove; B Wood, Clevedon £250 CASH H Wright, Daventry £150 CASH G Giles, Mitcheldean £100 CASH C Chanter, Pinner; S Miles, Worcestershire; J Lush, Gillingham; J Vennell, Crowbridge; J Tate, Basingstoke £60 CASH M Parker, Peterborough £50 CASH S Rigby, Carlisle; M Dobson, Leeds; M Harber, Maidstone £30 CASH R Russon, Telford; H Hussain, Luton; R Burton, Stoke-on-Trent; A Croft, Farnham; S Carr, Cardiff £25 CASH S Roberts, Peterborough; J Melville, Littleborough; S Pirie, Peterhead; W Edney, Chichester; L Weir, Alton; D Dunn, Gillingham; M Lundqvist, Ellon; D Elliot, Musselburgh; A Bull, Hoddesdon Anyone from your town in the list this week..? Chat PUZZLE 2 25411 Chat PUZZLE 4…